ACC Basketball: Projecting each team’s key player production for 2021-22

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MARCH 19: Buddy Boeheim #35 of the Syracuse Orange reacts during the second half against the San Diego State Aztecs in the first round game of the 2021 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Hinkle Fieldhouse on March 19, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

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ACC Basketball Casey Morsell Virginia Cavaliers (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

N.C. State: Jericole Hellems and Casey Morsell

Decrease in production: Jericole Hellems

Last season Jericole Hellems started all but one game, averaged 12.9 points and five rebounds over 31.5 minutes of floor time. The majority of those starts for 6’7 / 200 pound forward were while playing in the frontcourt alongside Manny Bates and DJ Funderburk. With Funderburk no longer a member of the Wolfpack, Bates will move over to center and Hellems will fill the power forward position.

At 6’9 /190 pounds, freshman forward Earnest Ross is just as suited to play power forward, causing Hellems to split time with Ross and Dereon Seaborn. Regardless that Hellems is the only top-three scorer returning to the Wolfpack, having to defend bigger opponents and playing out of position will affect his productivity.

Increase in production: Casey Morsell

Casey Morsell struggled to find consistent playing time in the Virginia backcourt last season. The 6’3 guard was limited to just 15 minutes per game, while – not only playing behind starter Reece Beekman – splitting time with Thomas Woldetensae as the off-guard coming off the bench. The 2021-22 season with North Carolina State will put up significantly fewer roadblocks as Morsell looks to begin the season as a starter.

With the transfer of Braxton Beverly (25.5 mpg) transferring to Eastern Kentucky and Shakeel Moore to Mississippi State (18.6 mpg) as well as depth players Nick Farrar and Max Farthing the second players on the depth chart at each position, are starters at another position. With the increase in playing time the No. 58 recruit from the 2019 class will get more field goal attempts and hopefully help improve his sub-40 percent shooting.